A prolific people smuggling gang that attempted to traffic migrants from the UK to France using lorry trailers has been dismantled and convicted following a major investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
A total of 12 individuals have now been convicted, including gang leader Azize Benaniba, after NCA officers uncovered a sophisticated smuggling network that operated across London, Kent, and the UK border at Dover.
Smugglers Charged up to £1,200 per Migrant
The criminal network targeted North African migrants, many of whom had entered the UK legally on tourist visas. Once in the UK, they were crammed into lorries—both refrigerated and unrefrigerated—and sent back to France via ferry crossings.
Migrants, including children as young as five, were charged up to £1,200 per journey, with over 20 smuggling attempts identified between February and October 2023.
A video seized by investigators and recorded on a migrant’s phone shows terrified people screaming for help inside a sealed trailer, illustrating the shocking level of risk involved.
“These smugglers had no care for the safety or wellbeing of the people they crammed into lorry trailers,” said John Turner, NCA senior investigating officer. “Their only concern was making money.”
Key Convictions and Coordinated Arrests
Three gang members were found guilty on 16 June following a six-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court. Others had pleaded guilty before the trial began.
Convicted Gang Members:
- Azize Benaniba, 41 (Willesden Lane, London) – pleaded guilty ahead of trial
- Abed Karrouz, 30 (Brownlow Road, London) – pleaded guilty ahead of trial
- Mahmoud Haidous, 52 (Oakley Road, London) – found guilty 16/06/2025
- Mohamed Bouriche, 43 (Redmead Mews, Hayes) – found guilty 16/06/2025
- Amor Ghabbari, 32 (Maida Hill, London) – found guilty 16/06/2025
- Mohamed Abdelhadi, 50 (Inderwick Road, London) – pleaded guilty ahead of trial
The ringleaders were arrested in March 2024 in a coordinated operation across North London. Evidence included videos showing migrants inside the trailers, visibly distressed and banging on the walls.
Notable Incident: 39 Migrants in Sealed Refrigerated Trailer
On 6 September 2023, 39 migrants, including children and women, were loaded into a sealed refrigerated trailer at a layby in Sandwich, Kent. Some required medical attention after being rescued by the NCA.
The group was intercepted en route to the Dover border, one of many successful interdictions by NCA surveillance teams.
“This investigation has safeguarded hundreds of vulnerable individuals,” Turner added. “We will continue working with our partners to dismantle networks like this wherever they operate.”
